The final seniors’ singles stableford competition of the year was held at East Devon on the Monday before Christmas, writes Paul Willoughby.

Conditions were cold and damp, there was a trolley ban and only the toughest ventured out. Even the welcome sun was actually a hindrance at times – being so low in the sky it often blinded the players who had to rely on their partners to tell them whether their drive was as straight as an arrow or a hoik into the bushes.

With so many things to complain about, that all sounds like an awful whinge – it’s not meant be but just an explanation to the non-golfers of the tribulations we golfers have to contend with! But there is good news; the sun has now stopped going down and the days will gradually become longer.

However, there’s a lot to be said for winter golf – the course is less crowded and a round should be completed in less than three hours (dream on!).

Furthermore, you build up camaraderie with fellow winter golfers; you’re all in it together – wind, sleet, hail and rain and you’re battling a common adversary, the English weather. Think of the (tall) tales you can tell each other in the clubhouse; ‘the rain was so heavy the green was like a lake’, or ‘the wind was so strong it blew my ball right out of the hole’. Oh yeah?

Your fellow winter golfers become friends in adversity whereas the summer golfers are true opponents. Furthermore, golf at this time of the year is essential – you’ve got to keep playing otherwise you’ll be no better when spring arrives, so all credit to those who play in winter competitions.

The stalwart (defined as ‘...marked by outstanding strength and vigour of body, mind, or spirit...’) leaders of the competition were as follows:-

1, Charlie Kerslake, 38 points from handicap of 10. Well done, Charlie; a very good ending to your period as seniors’ competition secretary; 2, John Bain, 36 (7) – good play, John; 3, John Maidment, 35 (11), so close to a handicap reduction, John; 4, Danny Barrett, 35 (12) - he’s always there or thereabouts – a force to be reckoned with; 5, John Pulman, 35 (5). There you are, John; your name is in lights, and you had a two!

There were six twos recorded, sharing a pot of £75 – enough for a stocking filler.